CN109195463A

CN109195463A - Equipment for heating smokeable material

Info

Publication number: CN109195463A
Application number: CN201780029308.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米切尔·托森
Original assignee: British American Tobacco Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nicoventures Trading Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-13
Filing date: 2017-05-12
Publication date: 2019-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-12
Also published as: WO2017194763A3; TW201742555A; JP2022031900A; EP3986089A1; KR20180134974A; AU2017263072B2; AR108446A1; EP4179898A2; MX2018013831A; JP2019521656A; NZ747985A; WO2017194763A2; JP2022091971A; KR102233850B1; ES2938082T3; JP2024073498A; PH12018502347A1; EP4179898A3; RU2709963C1; CN109195463B

Abstract

An apparatus (1) arranged to heat a smokeable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokeable material. The device comprises: a housing (9) having a first opening (20) at a first end (3) through which a consumable (21) containing a smokeable material can be removed inserted into the device; at least one heater means (23) arranged within the housing (9) for heating, in use, the smokeable material within the consumable (21); and a hollow chamber (35), in between the first opening (20) and the at least one heater (23). When the consumable is inserted into the device, a hollow chamber (35) surrounds at least a portion of the consumable (21), and the inner walls of the chamber and the consumable At least a portion defines an air gap (36) therebetween. Hot vapour escaping from the consumable in use may condense on the interior walls of the chamber.

Description

Equipment for heating smokeable material

Technical field

Equipment the present invention relates to arranging to heat smokeable material.

Background technique

The products such as cigarette, cigar burning tobacco in use, thus generates tobacco smoke.It has attempted to pass through Generate release compound and incombustible product provides the substitute of these result of combustion of tobacco products.The example of this kind of product is institute The heating of meaning is without combustion products, also referred to as tobacco heating product or tobacco heating equipment, they are by heating without burning Material discharges compound.For example, the material can be the tobacco that can contain or not contain nicotine or other non-tobacco productions Product or combination, for example, blended mixture.

Summary of the invention

According to the first aspect of the invention, a kind of arrange to heat smokeable material so that the smokeable material is provided At least one component volatilization equipment, which includes: shell；The shell has the first opening in first end, by this One opening, the consumables containing smokeable material are removably inserted into equipment；At least one heater assembly, this at least one Heater assembly is arranged in shell, for heating the smokeable material in consumables in use；First opening and at least one Hollow chamber between a heater, when in consumables insertion equipment, hollow chamber surrounds at least part of consumables, The inner wall of middle chamber and at least part of consumables define therebetween air gap.

In exemplary embodiment, hollow chamber includes cooling structure on its outer surface, so as to when equipment is in use Increase the hot-fluid for leaving hollow chamber.

In the exemplary embodiment, cooling structure includes at least one cooling fins.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a kind of arrange to heat smokeable material so that the smokeable material is provided At least one component volatilization equipment, which includes: shell, which has the first opening in first end, by this One opening, the consumables containing smokeable material can be removably inserted into equipment；At least one heater assembly, this is at least One heater assembly is arranged in shell, for heating the smokeable material in consumables in use；First opening with extremely Hollow chamber between a few heater, when in consumables insertion equipment, hollow chamber surrounds at least one of consumables Point, which includes the clamping section for being arranged to clamp consumables when consumables are inserted into equipment.

Detailed description of the invention

The embodiment of the present invention will only be described in reference to the drawings by way of example now, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the exemplary perspective view of the equipment for heating smokeable material；

Fig. 2 shows the side cross-sectional views of the equipment of Fig. 1 be inserted into consumables；

Fig. 3 shows the side cross-sectional view of the equipment of Fig. 1 without the consumables being inserted into；

Fig. 4 shows the perspective side elevation view of the equipment of Fig. 1, wherein eliminating certain outer to show the internal part of equipment Portion's panel；

Fig. 5 a shows the side view of the internal part of the equipment of Fig. 1；

Figure 5b shows that the first perspective views of the internal part of the equipment of Fig. 1；

Fig. 5 c shows the second perspective view of the internal part of the equipment of Fig. 1；

Fig. 5 d shows the end-view of the internal part of the equipment of Fig. 1；

Fig. 6 shows the end-view of the substitution internal part of the equipment of Fig. 1；

Fig. 7 shows the plan view of the top panel of the equipment for heating smokeable material；

Fig. 8 shows the side view of the top panel of the equipment of Fig. 7；

Fig. 9 shows the perspective view of the top panel of the equipment of Fig. 7；

Figure 10 shows the plan view of the top panel of the equipment of Fig. 7 with the consumables being inserted into.

Specific embodiment

As used herein, term " smokeable material " includes providing the material of volatile component, these volatilization groups after the heating Divide usually in the form of aerosol." smokeable material " include any material containing tobacco and can for example including tobacco, One of tobacco derivative, expanding tobacco, reconstituted tobacco or tobacco substituent are a variety of." smokeable material " can also include Other non-tobacco products, can contain or can be free of depending on product has nicotine." smokeable material " can for example in solid, The forms such as liquid, gel or wax." smokeable material " can also be combination or the admixture of such as material.

In the case where not burning or burning smokeable material, heating smokeable material so that smokeable material at least one The equipment that kind component volatilization is usually formed inhalable aerosol in turn is known.This equipment be sometimes be described as " heating and Do not burn " equipment or " tobacco heat product " or " tobacco heating mechanism " or similar term.Similarly, there is also so-called electronics Cigarette device, these equipment usually make in liquid form smokeable material evaporate, wherein the smokeable material can contain or Can be free of has nicotine.Smokeable material can show the forms such as the bar, filter cylinder or box body that can be inserted into equipment, Huo Zheke To be provided as a part of bar, filter cylinder or box body etc..Heater for the smokeable material that heats and volatilize can be provided as setting Standby " permanent " part, or can be provided as abandoning after usage and one of displaced smoking product or expendable material Point.In this context, " smoking product " to be a kind of include or contain in use smokeable material and optionally other components Device or product or other component, wherein the smokeable material is heated in use to make smokeable material volatilize.

With reference first to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, the example of equipment 1 is shown, equipment 1 is arranged to heat smokeable material so as to can take out At least one component volatilization of material is inhaled, to be usually formed inhalable aerosol.Equipment 1 is by heating but does not burn Smokeable material discharges the heating equipment 1 of compound.

First end 3 is sometimes referred to herein as mouth or the proximal end 3 of equipment 1, and second end 5 is sometimes referred to herein as The distal end 5 of equipment 1.Equipment 1 has on/off button 7, opens/closes to allow equipment 1 generally in accordance with user's needs.

Equipment 1 includes shell 9, which is used to position and protect the various internal parts of equipment 1.In the example shown In, shell 9 includes the integral cartridge 11 for covering the circumference of equipment 1, which uses " top " for generally limiting equipment 1 Top panel 17 and the bottom panel 19 of " bottom " for generally limiting equipment 1 block.In another example, in addition to top Other than panel 17 and bottom panel 19, shell further includes front panel, rear panel and a pair of opposite side panel.

Top panel 17 and/or bottom panel 19 can be removably fastened to integral cartridge 11, to allow easily The inside of proximity device 1, or it can " for good and all " be fixed to integral cartridge 11, for example to prevent user's proximity device 1 inside.In one example, panel 17 and panel 19 are made of plastic material, including what is for example formed by injection moulding Glass-filled nylon, and integral cartridge 11 is made of aluminum, it is however also possible to using other materials and other manufacturing processes.

The top panel 17 of equipment 1 has opening 20 at the mouth end 3 of equipment 1, in use, via the opening, contains Having the consumables 21 of smokeable material can be inserted into equipment 1 by user and be removed from equipment 1.

Shell 9, which has, is positioned or fixed on heater assembly 23, control circuit 25 and power supply 27 therein.In this example In, heater assembly 23, control circuit 25 and power supply 27 are laterally adjacent (that is, being adjacent when from one end), and control Circuit 25 processed is generally positioned between heater assembly 23 and power supply 27, and but, other positions are also possible.

Control circuit 25 may include controller, and such as microprocessor is arranged, configures and arranges to control consumables 21 In smokeable material heating, as discussed further below.

Power supply 27 can be such as battery, and battery can be rechargeable battery or non-rechargeable battery.Appropriate electrical The example in pond includes such as lithium ion battery, nickel-based battery (such as nickel-cadmium cell), alkaline battery and/or similar battery.Battery 27 It is electrically coupled to heater assembly 23, it can to supply electrical power when needed and to be heated under the control of control circuit 25 Smokeable material (as discussed, making smokeable material volatilize, without causing smokeable material to burn) in consumable material.

Power supply 27 is positioned to advantage laterally adjacent with heater assembly 23 to be: can be used physically biggish Power supply 25, it is generally excessively too long without will lead to equipment 1.It will be understood that ordinary circumstance, physically larger power supply 25 has There is higher capacity (that is, the total electric energy that can be supplied, usually measuring with ampere-hour etc.), therefore, the battery life of equipment 1 can With longer.

In one example, the form of the generally hollow cylindrical tube of heater assembly 23, and there is hollow inside to add Hot chamber 29, the consumables 21 including smokeable material are inserted into the heating chamber, to heat in use.Heater cartridge It is possible for setting 23 different arrangements.For example, heater assembly 23 may include single heating element, or can be by edge Heater assembly 23 longitudinal axis alignment multiple heating elements formed.The heating element or each heating element can be It is annular or tubular or tubular at least partly annular or part around its circumference.In one example, the heating element or Each heating element can be thin film heater.In another example, the heating element or each heating element can be by ceramics Material is made.The example of suitable ceramic material includes the aluminium oxide that can be laminated and be sintered and aluminium nitride and silicon nitride ceramics.Its He heat arrangement be it is possible, including for example by transmitting infrared radiation come heat inductive heating, infrared heater member Part, or the Resistive heating element formed for example, by resistive electrical winding.

In a particular example, heater assembly 23 is supported by stainless steel support tube and including polyimides heating unit Part.Heater assembly 23 be set size so that by consumables 21 be inserted into equipment 1 in when, substantially whole smokeable materials It is heated in use.

The heating element or each heating element may be disposed so that the selection area of smokeable material can be as needed It independently heats, such as successively (over time) or common (simultaneously) heating.

In this example, heater assembly 23 is surrounded along at least part of its length by heat insulator 31.Insulator 31 help to reduce the heat being sent to from heater assembly 23 outside equipment 1.Facilitate to control heater assembly 23 in this way Power demand, because it generally reduces thermal losses.Insulator 31 additionally aids during the operation of heater assembly 23 Keep the cooling outside equipment 1.In one example, insulator 31 can be double-wall sleeve, the double-wall sleeve in sleeve two Area of low pressure is provided between a wall.That is, insulator 31 can be for example " vacuum " pipe, that is, at least partly evacuate with The pipe of bottom line will be reduced to by means of the heat transmitting of conduction and/or convection current.Other arrangements of insulator 31 are possible, packets The substitution other than double-wall sleeve or as double-wall sleeve is included, using heat-insulating material, including for example suitable foaming kind profile Material.

Shell 9 may further include the various internal supports for being used to support all internal parts and heater assembly 23 Structure 37 (best visible in Fig. 4).

Equipment 1 further comprises the lantern ring 33 for extending and projecting to from opening 20 inside of shell 9 around opening 20, with And it is located in the generally tubular chamber 35 between lantern ring 33 and one end of vacuum sleeve 31.

One end of chamber 35 is connected to lantern ring 33 and is supported by lantern ring 33, and the other end of chamber 35 is connected to vacuum envelope Thus one end of cylinder 31 supports vacuum sleeve 31.Therefore, best as it can be seen that lantern ring 33, chamber 35 and vacuum tube 31/ such as in Fig. 3 Heater assembly 23 is coaxially arranged, so that (such as in Fig. 2 best visible) when expendable material 21 is inserted into equipment 1, It extends through lantern ring 33 and chamber 35 enters in heater chamber 29.

As described above, in this example, the form of the generally hollow cylindrical tube of heater assembly 23, and this Guan Jing It is in fluid communication by chamber 35 and lantern ring 33 with the opening 20 at the mouth end 3 of equipment 1.

Referring now to Fig. 5 a to Fig. 5 d, in this example, chamber 35 includes tube-shaped main body 35, which has first Open end 35b and the second open end 35c.Tube-shaped main body 35a includes extending to from the first open end 35b along tube-shaped main body 35a The first section 35d at approximately half of distance and the second opening is extended to from from the approximately half of distance of tube-shaped main body 35a Hold the second section 35e of 35c.First section 35d has substantial constant internal diameter, and the second section 35e has towards second The internal diameter that open end 35c narrows.

Chamber 35 further comprises cooling structure 35f, and in this example, which includes being spaced apart along main body 35 Multiple cooling fins 35f, wherein each cooling fins around main body 35 circumferentially.

Chamber 35 further includes the flange portion 35g around the second open end 35c, and also around the second open end 35c cloth The multiple protrusions or clamping part 35h set.Each clamping part 35h is generally in L shape and including being bound to flange portion 35g's First part 35h1 and second part 35h2, second part 35h2 are essentially perpendicular to first part 35h1 and big The side that the longitudinal axis of tube-shaped main body 35 is parallel on body upwardly extends.Each second part 35h2 includes stepped surface 35l, Axis and the stepped surface slight curvature of the stepped surface towards the longitudinal axis extension along tube-shaped main body 35a.

It is best as it can be seen that in this example such as in Fig. 3, chamber 35 be located in lantern ring 33 and 31/ heater 23 of vacuum tube it Between shell 9 in.More specifically, (i) at second end 35c, flange 35g passes through the adjacent heater assembly 23 of clamping part 35h Polyimide tube end part, these clamping parts flexibly engaged via its stepped surface 35l with polyimide tube and The outer surface of clamping part and the internal engagement of vacuum sleeve 31, (ii) at the first open end 35b, chamber 35 is by means of ridge 60 It is connected to lantern ring 33, these ridges form a part of lantern ring 33 and project in chamber 35.Ridge 60 from lantern ring 33 first End 62 is angled to the second end 63 of lantern ring towards the axis extended along the longitudinal axis of lantern ring 33 and chamber 35.Ridge and chamber 35 inner surface flushes, to form neat fit.

It is best as it can be seen that the internal diameter of the first section 35d of hollow chamber 35 is greater than the outer diameter of consumables such as from Fig. 2.Therefore, When at least part insertion equipment of the consumables 2 along the length of hollow chamber 35, in hollow chamber 35 and consumables 21 Between there are air gaps 36.In the region, air gap 36 surrounds whole circumference of consumables 21.

It is best as it can be seen that the second open end 35c at such as in Fig. 5 c and Fig. 5 d, chamber 35 including it is multiple (in this example, 3) vanelets or ridge 35j, these blades or ridge 35j surround the inner surface edge of chamber 35 at the periphery of the second open end 35c Circumferentially.Each of blade 35j the side for the longitudinal axis for being parallel to chamber 35 upwardly extend small distance and Radial a small amount of extension at the second open end 35c.Blade 35j jointly provides clamping section, which clamps consumables 21, with Just the part of consumables 21 being in chamber 35 is correctly positioned and kept when consumables 21 are in equipment 1.By leaf In one or more regions of the consumables of piece 35j contact, blade 35j moderately compresses therebetween or clamps consumables 21.Leaf Piece 35j may include elastic material (or in some other fashion for elastic), in this way, they be slightly distorted (such as compression) with Consumables 21 are preferably clamped when consumables 21 are inserted into equipment 1, restore it when then removing from equipment 1 in consumables 21 Original-shape.Blade 35j can be integrally formed with chamber 35, or can be the separate part being attached in chamber 35.Leaf Internal diameter around piece can be such as 5.377 millimeters.

In the alternative exemplary shown in Fig. 6, the resilient clamp section 35k in hollow chamber 35 limits substantially oval Hole 35l, the hole can extend along the longitudinal axis of hollow chamber 35, and when consumables 21 are inserted into equipment 1, fit The section of the consumables 21 of the compression of degree ground or clamping in the 35l of slotted eye hole, so that this section of consumables 21 is in cross From circular deformation to ellipse in section.In one example, clamping section 35k is positioned towards the first open end 35b.At one In example, the width of oval section can be increased or decreased, to increase or reduce insertion force/retentivity.Show at another , can be in the surface of the oval hole 35l of interference consumables 21 in example, rather than the whole surface of oval hole 351 Little groove (not shown) is added in region.This measure will be for various consumable components (tobacco, tipping across clamping section 3k Paper, paper tube) transformation reduce insertion/removal sensibility to the maximum extent.

In another example, the combination of blade 35j and ellipse clamping section 35k can be used to keep consumables 21 In hollow chamber 35.For example, the arrangement of ellipse clamping section 35k and blade 35j can indulge in hollow chamber 35 It is spaced apart to ground and the consumables 21 that will be inserted into that individually play a role is held in place, alternatively, blade 35j can It is arranged around the surface of ellipse clamping section 35k.

Chamber 35 can be by such as plastic material, including such as polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK).

Referring again to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, in one example, heating chamber 29 has the region towards the reduction internal diameter of distal end 5 38.This region 37 is that the consumables 21 of the opening at mouth end 3 provide end stop equipment.With this area for reducing internal diameter Domain 38 can for example by being submitted on June 26th, 2015 co-pending application U.S. Provisional Patent Application the 62/185,227th The hollow tube type be described in detail in number provides, and entire contents are incorporated herein in a manner of being cited.

Equipment 1 can further include door 39 at distal end 5, this opens and closes the opening in rear panel, to provide Into the access of heating chamber 29, so that heating chamber can be cleaned.The example of suitable door is also in our common It is discussed in more detail in No. 62/185,227 pending application.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 7 to Figure 10, the example of the top panel 17 of equipment 1 is shown.Top panel 17 is generally Form the front end 3 of the shell 9 of equipment.Top panel 17 supports lantern ring 33, and lantern ring 33 limits the insertion point in 20 forms of opening, warp By the opening, consumables 21 are removably inserted into use in equipment 1.

Lantern ring 33 extends around opening 20 and projects to the inside of shell 9 from opening 20.In one example, lantern ring 33 It is integral with the top panel 17 of shell, so that lantern ring 33 and top panel 17 form single piece.In alternative exemplary, lantern ring 33 be the element different from top panel 17, but can be attached to via attachmentes such as locking mechanism, adhesive, screw rods Top panel 17.Other attachmentes for being suitable for that lantern ring 33 is attached to top panel 17 can be used.

In this example, lantern ring 33 includes multiple ridges 60, and the ridge circumferentially and is dashed forward around the periphery of opening 20 Out into opening 20.Ridge 60 occupies the space in opening 20 so that the opening span of the opening 20 at the position of ridge 60 is less than The opening span of opening 20 at the position of no ridge 60.Ridge 60 is configured to engage with the consumables 21 in insertion equipment, with Just it helps to be fixed in equipment 1.

In one example, ridge 60 is circumferentially equidistantly spaced around the periphery of opening 20.In one example, there are four A ridge 60, in other examples, there may be the ridges 60 for being more or less than four.

Fig. 9 shows the plan view of the top panel 17 of the equipment with the consumables 21 in insertion opening 20.Ridge 60 is prominent Into opening 20 to be engaged with consumables 21.The open space 61 and consumables 21 limited by adjacent pairs of ridge 60 is formed and is enclosed Around the smoke evacuation path 61 of the outside of consumables 21.As will be explained in more detail, these smoke evacuation paths 61 allow from consumption The heat steam that product 21 escape leaves equipment 1 and cooling air is allowed to be flow in equipment 1 around expendable material 21.In Figure 10 Example four smoke evacuation paths 61 of the outer periphery Positioning around consumables 21 are shown, these smoke evacuation paths are that equipment 1 provides smoke evacuation, But there may also be more or fewer such smoke evacuation paths 61.

As described above, ridge 60 is radially projecting into opening 20, but it is best such as from Fig. 8 as it can be seen that ridge 60 is also from top surface Plate 17 extends in shell 9.The protrusion of ridge 60 is directed towards at an angle to each other, so, when ridge 60 extends in shell, The distance between ridge 60 shortens.It is best as it can be seen that ridge 60 projects in shell makes it possible to be extended through by means of ridge 60 such as in Fig. 3 It crosses the first open end 35b of chamber 35 and engages the inner wall of chamber 35 to make lantern ring 35 be connected to chamber 35.

Again with specific reference to Fig. 2, in one example, the form of the bar cylindrical of consumables 21 is inserted into consumables 21 When in equipment 1, which has or contains at the rear end in the section in heater assembly 23 consumables 21 Smokeable material 21a.The front end of consumables 21 extends from equipment 1 and serves as cigarette holder component 21b, which includes being used for Filter the filter of aerosol and/or one or more of the cooling element 21c for cooling down aerosol.Filter/cooling Element 21c is spaced apart with smokeable material 21a by space 21d and also by another space 21e's and cigarette holder component 21b Tip is spaced apart.Consumables 21 are circumferentially wrapped in exterior layer (not shown).In one example, the exterior layer of consumables 21 Has permeability, so that volatile component after some heating from smokeable material be allowed to escape from consumables 21.

In operation, heater assembly 23 will heat consumables 21, so that at least one component of smokeable material 21a is waved Hair.

The major flow path of volatile component extends axially through consumables 21 after heating from smokeable material 21a, wears Space 21d, filter/cooling element 21c and another space 21e are crossed, is then entered again by the open end of cigarette holder component 21b The oral cavity of user.However, some volatile components can be escaped simultaneously from consumables 21 by its permeable outer packing material And enter the space 36 around consumables 21 in chamber 35.

It is not intended to the volatile component flowing in chamber 35 from consumables 21 to be inhaled by the user, this is because these components are not Across filter/cooling element 21c, therefore it is not filtered and is not cooled down.

Advantageously, the air of the certain volume around consumables 21 in chamber 35 and chamber 35 is cooling through fin Inner wall makes at least some volatile components escaped from consumables 21 via the exterior layer of consumables 21 in the inner wall of chamber 35 Upper cooling simultaneously condenses, to prevent these volatile components that may be inhaled by the user.

Can by can via smoke evacuation path 61 from outside equipment 1 enter chamber 35 in the space around consumables 21 36 cooling air assists this cooling effect, and wherein these smoke evacuation paths allow fluids to flow in and out equipment.Smoke evacuation road Diameter 61 limits between a pair of of ridge in multiple adjacent ridges 60, so that the exterior circumferential of the consumables 21 at insertion point provides row Cigarette.

In one example, the second smoke evacuation path 61 is provided between second pair of adjacent ridge, after at least one heating Volatile component is flowed out from consumables 21 in the second place.Therefore, the exterior circumferential of the consumables 21 at insertion point passes through First and second discharge fume paths 61 to provide smoke evacuation.

In addition, will not be in chamber 35 from volatile component after the heating escaped in consumables 21 via its outer packing material It condenses, and can safely be flowed out from equipment 1 via smoke evacuation path 61 on inner wall, without being inhaled by the user.

Chamber 35 and smoke evacuation each contribute to reduce steams from the water discharged in volatile component after the heating of smokeable material The temperature and component of vapour composition.

Various embodiments described herein is only used for helping to understand and instruct feature claimed.These embodiments are only Representative sample as embodiment provides, and is not exhaustive and/or exclusive.It will be appreciated that advantage described herein, reality Example, example, function, feature, structure and/or other aspects are applied to be not construed as to the scope of the invention defined by claim Limitation or the limitation of the equivalent to claim, furthermore, it is possible to using other embodiments, and can be wanted not departing from It is modified under the premise of the scope of the present invention for asking protection.Various embodiments of the present invention can be uitably included in addition to herein The appropriate combination of disclosed component, assembly unit, feature, part, step, equipment except those of described etc., is made from it, or Person is consisting essentially of.In addition, the disclosure may include be not claimed at present but may in the future it is claimed its He invents.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An apparatus arranged to heat a smokeable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokeable material, the apparatus comprising:

case;

the housing has a first opening at a first end through which a consumable containing smokeable material is removably inserted into the device;

at least one heater arrangement disposed within the housing for heating, in use, smokeable material within the consumable;

a hollow chamber between the first opening and the at least one heater device, the hollow chamber surrounding at least a portion of the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the apparatus, wherein the The inner wall of the hollow chamber and the at least a portion of the consumable define an air gap therebetween.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow chamber includes cooling structures on its outer surface to increase heat flow out of the hollow chamber when the apparatus is in use.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cooling structure includes at least one cooling fin.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the hollow chamber comprises a first open end, and wherein the hollow chamber is arranged such that the first open end is positioned towards the end of the apparatus the first opening.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hollow chamber includes a second open end, and wherein the hollow chamber is arranged such that the second open end is positioned towards the heater arrangement.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the heater arrangement comprises a heating tube, and wherein the second open end of the hollow chamber engages one end of the heating tube.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hollow chamber includes one or more engagement formations for engagement with the heating tube.

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises one or more exhaust passages allowing air to flow to the consumable and to the consumable when the apparatus is in use The air gaps between the hollow chambers and/or allow hot vapor that has escaped from the consumable to flow out of the device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus includes a collar that defines or surrounds the first opening, wherein the collar includes a plurality of ridges circumferentially about the first opening and projecting into the first opening, wherein at least one of the one or more exhaust passages is defined by a first adjacent pair of the plurality of ridges.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of ridges are configured to engage the consumable received within the apparatus in use.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein the collar includes one or more engagement elements for engagement with the hollow chamber.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plurality of ridges extend into the housing and the engagement element is the plurality of ridges.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the hollow chamber comprises a gripping section arranged to grip the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the apparatus the consumables.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the gripping section compresses the consumable in one or more regions of the consumable that are contacted by the gripping section.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the gripping section comprises a plurality of vanes circumferentially spaced around the inner surface of the hollow chamber, each vane contacting the consumable such that The consumable is sandwiched between the plurality of blades.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, wherein the gripping section defines a generally elliptical hole in the hollow chamber, and wherein the gripping section holds the consumable The area within the oval hole is compressed into an oval shape.

17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein hot vapour escaping from the consumable in use condenses on the inner walls of the hollow chamber.

18. An apparatus arranged to heat a smokeable material to volatilize at least one component of the smokeable material, the apparatus comprising:

case;

a hollow chamber between the first opening and the at least one heater device, the hollow chamber surrounding at least a portion of the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the apparatus, the hollow The chamber includes a gripping section arranged to grip the consumable when the consumable is inserted into the device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the gripping section is configured to compress the consumable in use in one or more regions of the consumable that are contacted by the gripping section .

20. Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the clamping section comprises a plurality of vanes spaced circumferentially around the inner surface of the hollow chamber, each vane in use contacting the The consumable is such that the consumable is sandwiched between the plurality of blades.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the vanes are elastic.

22. Apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the gripping section defines a substantially elliptical hole in the hollow chamber, and wherein the gripping section in use will The area of the consumable within the oval hole is compressed into an oval shape.